Set off from Tatti and Heinz's with fond farewells after a relaxing stay. Our route took us up densely wooded valleys – classic Black Forest country.  Beautiful old villages and farmsteads.  Sporting curvy roads and great views.  The scent of pine, grass and flowers was delightful.

We were roused from our reverie by a) a large Buzzard. Startled by our approach flapping about 2 metres from our faces and b) a ‘road closed’ sign across our route.  Descending by another valley we crossed the Rhine near Mullheim and entered France.

For several miles we were on the flat fertile floodplain with the temperature rising.  Our route then took us up into the Vosges mountain range – very similar topography to the Black Forest – though these would be the ‘Foret Noir'.

We stopped at the top and had coffee and then followed the winding road as it followed the crest of the range for several miles.

Route (National) 66 - but not as we know it !

Dropping down we passed through a hole bored through a hard rock shoulder (roche de diablo) and then into undulating open countryside.

Found a lovely small village restaurant for lunch and journeyed on through temperatures in the low 30’s – stopping for a coke about 40 minutes from our destination.

Finally checked into our lodgings for the night in Heudicourt sous les cotes – rather hot and tired.  Decided to push out the ‘bateau’ and have a beer from the minibar.

Distance Travelled: 207 miles